Etymology Map
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Cheer

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means a shout of joy; to make happy

Where does the word "cheer" come from? It comes from Late Latin cara, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
cara
Late Latin · ancient
"face"
from Greek 'kara', head
2
Stage 2 of 3
chiere
Old French · medieval
"face, expression"
'good cheer' meant a happy face
3
Stage 3 of 3
cheer
English · 1200s
"face; mood"
the shout of encouragement dates from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Cheer’s story begins in Late Latin: cara meant “face.” From Greek 'kara', head. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as chiere. 'good cheer' meant a happy face. It reached English by 1200s as cheer. The shout of encouragement dates from the 1700s. Today, cheer means a shout of joy; to make happy.